Globally, the building and construction sectors account for almost 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, stemming from both operational emissions alongside those from the construction process and materials. Despite the heavy environmental footprint of the construction sector, England faces acute housing challenges. It has the lowest number of houses available in the developed world coupled with the highest rate of inadequate housing in Europe. These circumstances have propelled the government to set ambitious housebuilding targets to meet the growing housing demand. However, the solu ..read more

Construction innovation experts at Leeds Beckett University have partnered with Yorkshire’s largest public sector procurement framework organisation to drive innovation in the construction sector and boost opportunities for small businesses in the region. Leeds Beckett University will work with YORhub to create a Supply Chain Engagement Toolkit. This aims to increase the number and diversity of regional small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to public sector procurement frameworks – reducing the over-dominance of large firms, and introducing innovative solutions in a sector that ..read more

Balfour Beatty has confirmed that it has been awarded a contract to construct the new £209M HMP Highland in Inverness, Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service. Balfour Beatty was first appointed to deliver the pre-construction phase, including the design of HMP Highland, in 2022. This latest phase, valued at £119M, will see the company progress with the construction of the new, modern 18,500sq m facility comprised of two new interconnected buildings and associated infrastructure. Scheduled for completion in 2026, HMP Highland will be the first net zero prison in Scotland with the fa ..read more

The Office for National Statistics has published estimates of construction output for February 2024. The estimates show that monthly construction output is expected to have decreased 1.9% in volume terms, which follows a 1.1% increase in January 2024. The monthly value in level terms was £15,229M. The decrease in monthly output came from decreases in both new work (2.3% fall), and repair and maintenance (1.4% fall); anecdotal evidence from survey returns suggested effects of heavy rainfall led to delays in planned work and decreasing output in February 2024. At the sector level, eight out of t ..read more

Following the recent tragic news of Gogglebox star, George Gilbey’s death is a stark reminder of the safety risks on a construction site. John Kushnick, Legal Operations Director of National Accident Helpline says: “Falling from height is the leading cause of fatal injuries to employees in the UK, according to government statistics. The latest HSE report on British construction has highlighted critical health and safety issues with reports of 69,000 workers with work-related ill health, 45 fatal injuries, and 53,000 non-fatal injuries for 2023. It is an employer’s duty to promote a culture of ..read more

SMEs neglect cyber security, making them easy targets for a wide range of attacks, including phishing and ransomware. Hackers, some with basic technical skills, capitalize on these weaknesses. Despite cybersecurity threats being on the rise, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) still lack basic security measures. On top of that, hackers are shifting their focus from big businesses to smaller targets, creating even more dangers for smaller companies in the digital space. The main reason SMEs neglect to secure their digital perimeter is lack of understanding of cyber security ..read more

Yorkshire-based construction firm, I&G, part of the wider Sewell Group, has been appointed by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to build the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds; the first of its kind in the UK. The new facility, which will be located on the Seacroft Hospital site, will bring a much-needed resource to the region and see all MND services housed under one roof for the first time. Named after rugby league legend, Rob Burrow CBE, who campaigns for MND after being diagnosed with the condition in 2019, the new centre will be funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity ..read more

Turner & Townsend has been appointed by global security and aerospace company, BAE Systems, as the New Engineering Contract (NEC) Project Manager to support the delivery of Ship Build Hall in Glasgow, Scotland. With the construction of the facility already underway and practical completion expected in Spring 2025, the new Ship Build Hall is set to become a landmark building in Glasgow, where the latest Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates are being constructed for the Royal Navy. The hall is a key element of BAE Systems’ modernisation and digitalisation of its shipbuilding facilities at ..read more

Tractors, diggers and forklifts powered by hydrogen will help building sites and agricultural businesses go greener under government plans. A switch to cleaner technology will allow construction and farming, two key parts of the economy, decarbonise faster. New regulations would allow hydrogen-powered tractors, diggers and forklifts to be used on roads in Great Britain, with a consultation running for four weeks. Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said: “Allowing hydrogen-powered tractors, diggers and forklifts to use our roads is a common-sense move to help reduce emissi ..read more

Building costs will increase by 15% over the next five years, while tender prices will rise by 17% over the same period, according to the latest five year building forecast from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). Although the industry has emerged from a period of rampant inflation, construction firms are now dealing with the challenges of falling demand and stagnating output. After falling by 2.1% in 2023, new construction output is expected to contract by a further 3.2% in 2024 before returning to growth. Total new work output over the forecast period (2024-2029) is forecast to gro ..read more